It's undeniable that high tolls hurt our economy

I would like to thank Rep. Michael Grimm for his efforts in the House to hold hearings and question all authorities’ ability to levy tolls indiscriminately.

It is interesting that after personally visiting all four New York and New Jersey senators, it was Sen. Frank Lautenberg stepping up to the plate to force hearings in the U.S. Senate. I have not yet heard of any support for his efforts from Sens. Kirsten Gillibrand or Charles Schumer.

I would like to see Rep. Grimm be more vocal on behalf of smaller Island companies for relief from Port Authority and Metropolitan Transportation Authority tolls.

Everyone is concerned, with good reason, about the loss of companies at Howland Hook. Although important, New York Container Terminal is only a part of our economy that suffers as a result of excessive tolling from the MTA and P.A.

If Gov. Andrew Cuomo wants his “open for business” message to have credibility, he should start with MTA and P.A. toll reductions. Several of the Island companies I worked with last year are out of business; if you don’t think the tolls hurt them, think again. The tolls as they exist are punitive and all of Staten Islanders suffer as a result.